Join the discussion 22 Comments

  • wes verret says:

    Do prefer cotton buff pads over foam or do you think they work better?

  • Steve Hubner says:

    Thank you that was very helpful i have bought a older boat that needs plenty of attenttion.

  • Russell Traina says:

    Andy, thanks for the video. What do you think about the 3m compound and 3m finesse it?

    Russell

    • ~Andy says:

      Hi Russell! 3M products are all very good, but I tend to prefer their stuff for paint projects. Something I tend to notice with their gelcoat compounds is that it can leave a slight film that you need to wipe off with a micro fiber towel. Not a big deal, but it’s another step to do. The Meguiars buffs off clean with no wiping necessary 🙂 Finess-it is great, but more of a polish IMO. Doesn’t really remove scratches in gelcoat as the surface it too hard. Works well on paint, though!

      Hope this helps!

  • Shilva says:

    I enjoyed rdiaeng this article about hull maintanance as I do most articles that are helpful to boaters. Just would like to add that boat covers go a long way in helping keep the topsides looking great for years and at the same time keeping maintanance hours much lower. Thanks for the great website with so many helpful articles.

  • Chris says:

    Hi there mate, we have a small boat repair place in Canada, Hi from the north. Have Enguard CR 2202 pro patch additive by Ashland. Do you catalyze on total volume or original gel coat weight? And how much do I add? I can only find info on the cr 3000 series of pro patch.

    My thanks in advance.

    • ~Andy says:

      Unfortunately I’m not familiar with their product :-/ As a guess I’d say catalyze based on total volume. These additives are typically a “reactive additive” meaning that they become part of the gelcoat, and as such need to be catalyzed as well. Each require a different level, but generally they suggest 2% Mek-P per volume. Hope this helps!

  • Ed says:

    Hi Andy watch you on YouTube I like your work you do it very well you look very knowledgeable of what you are doing I am trying to install a deck on my manta ray 1994 Boat don’t know exactly what size of plywood to use for strength if you could help please let me know I want to fiberglass I need to know how many thicknesses of fiberglass to use thank you for your work it is very good I enjoy watching your show thank you very much

  • Mike says:

    Very informative, your delivery and familiarity and ability to relate the complex material illustrates your expertise. Thanks for minimizing the concerns and overwhelmedness, of a new to me, old boat owner.
    Have you thought about clinics? Granted it might be more baby sitting than you’d like, but it could be paid labor, which is a bit of an oxymoron this days.
    I’m looking forward to tackle g some fiberglass repair and polishing, as well as some non-skid repair.
    Plus now I can argue that I need to add to my Carhart collection with some overalls, I can’t grow a pony tail though, jealous.

    • ~Andy says:

      Hi Mike!

      I am actually hoping to be able to start doing clinics within the next year (basically long weekend seminars). It’s good to hear that there may be some interest in it :-). Thanks for bringing it up!!

  • Roger Hughes says:

    Washed GW Marlin 280 hull yesterday with dishsoap. First washing in years. Will try less aggressive compound this weekend to remove some stains. Then probably a protective finish wax? The boat will be in drydock until next year while I rehab it. Your videos give me confidence that I can do this at the age of 69. Thanks.

  • Lawton George says:

    Hi Andy:
    I’m new to your videos. I find all your videos very educational. Some of your videos don’t leave
    a place for thumbs up. I’m sure it’s there I just can’t find it..
    please help me. George !

    • ~Andy says:

      Hi George! Unfortunately video’s watched here on my website don’t have the option for thumbs up, but if you watched them on youtube then there is 🙂 Working on rebuilding this site and hope to have some of those features in place for the first of the year!

  • Rafael says:

    Hi! 1st: i want to contribute to your site. Is possible to do it through paypal?
    2nd: what type/brand polishing machine you use?
    Thanks!

    • ~Andy says:

      Hi Rafael! The buffer I use is made by Fein, but there are many other brands avail that are less expensive. Makita would be a good choice. The only thing I would strongly suggest in a buffer is that it’s variable speed. Beyond that, there’s really not much difference between the units 🙂

      Thank you for considering support for the show! When you have a chance please look over this page.
      http://boatworkstoday.com/support-this-show-2

      If you have any additional questions please do not hesitate to contact me!

      Thank you!!

      ~Andy

  • jay caunter says:

    Thank you for making these great diy shows! Very helpful indeed. Question, after compounding the gel coat and you have the shine you are looking for, do you use a sealant? does sealant work on gel coat? Also do you put wax on top of the sealant?

    thank you again for the great work you do
    Jay

  • Tony Bacon says:

    Great video. You’re my goto for the kind of information you provide! At one point in the video you changed to a “clean pad”. I just ordered everything from Amazon following your links. I only ordered one of each pad. I will be working on a new to me 1997 Bayliner 3788 that was not maintained. I wonder how many pads I might want to have on hand and appreciate any advice on when to change or perhaps discard a pad.

  • ROGER says:

    have you tried top coat polish/wax? seen it advertised on facebook. just wondering if it is any good. enjoy your tutorials.

  • Sharai Fowler says:

    Hi could you tell me the exact 3m compound pad and polishing pad you use, because there are so many to choose from.
    Thank you!

  • johnnyaynerich says:

    Hi mi name is Johnny I would like your recommendation to eliminate scratches and oxidation in black boats gelcoat

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